Wind and Solar Energy

School/program name Date

Background Information(for facilitator)

• Wind Energy: As the sun heats Earth’s surface, it does so in an uneven way. Sunlight strikes the equatorial latitudes more directly than it does the polar latitudes, resulting in a higher concentration of energy per unit area. It also is absorbed and reflected at different rates, depending on the nature of the surface it strikes. This uneven heating results in areas of different pressure in the atmosphere, which causes wind. Humans have relied on wind energy for thousands of years—to help sail ships and grind grain, among other purposes. Modern wind turbines are used to convert the kinetic energy of the atmosphere and convert it into electrical energy, which can be transmitted via power lines or stored in batteries.

• Solar Energy: Solar energy consists of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Much of this

energy is in the infrared, ultraviolet, and visible wavelengths. Although Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere block a large part of the sun’s radiation, enough solar energy strikes the US each day to supply all of our energy needs for approximately one and a half years!

• Solar energy is responsible for the existence of almost all life on Earth. As such, it is also the source of

the energy stored in fossil fuels. Solar energy also gives rise to wind energy, and together with gravity, produces hydroelectric energy. Solar energy can be harnessed by humans in two main ways—passive solar energy collection, and active solar energy collection. Passive solar energy collection involves using structures, positions, and material properties to take advantage of the sun’s energy. Active solar energy collection generally involves using photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation directly into an electric current.

AgendaOpening (30 minutes)

Setting the Stage: The Power Of Wind (20 minutes)

Cyber Investigation: 3M Wind Energy Virtual Lab? (25 minutes)

Activity: Siemens Science Day: Blowin’ In The Wind (60 minutes)

Break (15 minutes)

Setting the Stage: The Power of the Sun (30 minutes)

Lunch (30 minutes)

Recess: Rainbow Tag (30 minutes)

Activity: The Abundance of Solar Energy (20 minutes)

STEM-tastic Careers (15 minutes)

Engineering Challenge: Siemens Science Day Lab: You’re Getting Warmer…

(60 minutes)

Mind Snacks (15 minutes)

STEM Camp Notebook Reflection (10 minutes)

Wrap Up (5 minutes)

Dive Into Digital Project (60 minutes)

Learning Objectives To demonstrate how wind turbines are used to

generate electricity

To relate the advantages and disadvantages of

wind energy

To differentiate between active and passive solar

energy

To relate the advantages and disadvantages of

solar energy

Today’s Vocabulary

Wind Energy

Solar Energy

Renewable Energy

Setting the Stage:The Power of Wind

What Are Fossil Fuels?

Video: Wind Power

Cyber Investigation

Activity: Siemens Science Day: BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND

Setting the Stage: The Power of the Sun

How is Food related to Solar Energy?

Video: Solar Power

Video: Lights Has Energy

Activity: The Abundance of Solar Energy

Video: Measuring Solar Energy

Video: Solar Power without the Sun

What factors affect the

abundance of solar energy?

STEMtastic Careers

Heather Dohan, Wind Scientist

What are some of the similarities and differences

between the work that wind energy engineers do

and the work that other types of engineers do?

What types of skills must a wind engineer have?

How does the work that wind engineers do

impact society and the environment?

Engineering Challenge: Siemens Science Day Lab:

YOU’RE GETTING WARMER…

Mind Snacks

Notebook Reflection Would the area in which you live be a good place

for a wind farm?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of

using wind energy?

What are some ways you can take advantage of

passive solar energy in your home or school?

What are some ways you can take advantage of

active solar energy in your home or school?

Wrap Up

Think about this…

What conditions are necessary for

generating hydroelectric energy?

What conditions are necessary for

generating geothermal energy?